In She Swims with Alligators the poetry & prose contain my experiences & perspectives, along with some commonly available facts, all for your enjoyment. During my life I have been attracted to bodies of water: beaches, rivers, & especially lakes & springs.
I do not recommend taking the risks that I have.
I do recommend spending time in nature appreciating all the fauna & flora with confidence & caution where needed. I also recommend taking care of our water – conserving use & reducing pollution, & recognizing its essential nature.
Photo by Jerrine McClelland at Blue Hole, Ichetucknee Springs
For many years I was a competitive water skier (wish I still had that body), & now I swim daily in warm weather (a long season in Florida) & go on kayaking & springs hopping adventures.
Guess who is in the water here? (at the confluence of Little River Springs & the Suwannee River)
Although I have spent more time observing alligators in the wild than most people, I am neither an ecologist nor a zoologist. My musings & descriptions are predominantly true, with occasional poetic license for technique or effect.
Exciting interactions with wildlife do not happen on a regular basis – these experiences have been collected over thirty years, & some memories occurred even longer ago.
Alligators as apex predators are vital to the wetlands ecology because they contribute to maintaining ecosystem balance in their habitat. By alligators’ presence, some animal populations are kept in check by being eaten, & others are helped to thrive by the holes that alligators dig in dry weather. The gators may eat fallen birds, but they also eat raccoons which prey on bird nests.
Next 2 Photos by Danny Gilliam
Near Florida waters always be aware of your surroundings ALLIGATORS ARE WATCHING
They are opportunists ~ambush predators at their best.
And take care of their home ~
our waterways & wetlands
~ keep them clean & natural & flowing.
The author with Lars Andersen at Cannon Springs during the draw-down – Photo by Karen Chadwick